St Mary le Strand has been at the centre of parish worship and London life since the early 18th century and is a widely recognised landmark building. In recent decades, the church has been trapped on a traffic island with its splendour hidden to passers-by. With the advent of the Strand Aldwych pedestrianisation scheme, the area is set to become a global creative and cultural quarter with the church wishing to be part of the regeneration.

To realise this vision, St Mary's embarked on an ambitious project named "The Jewel in The Strand," aiming to undertake essential restoration work, enhance accessibility, and maximise the church's potential for wider audiences. Recognising the need for an exceptional leader to guide this transformative endeavor, St Mary's sought the expertise of Charisma, a recruitment firm renowned for its ability to identify and place individuals who embody the values and aspirations of its clients.

The task at hand was multifaceted, demanding a fixed-term Project Director with a proven track record in fundraising, community engagement, and securing significant major gifts from corporates and high net worth individuals. Additionally, experience in managing National Lottery Heritage Fund projects, capital works, and the ability to thrive in a startup environment were crucial requirements.

Charisma embarked on a rigorous search, meticulously evaluating potential candidates from across the diverse realms of heritage, culture, and project management. The firm's consultants sought an individual who not only possessed the necessary skills and experience but also embodied St Mary's values of innovation, inclusivity, and a deep respect for its rich heritage.

To uncover the most exceptional talent, Charisma employed a multi-pronged approach, encompassing targeted advertising campaigns, strategic headhunting, and a thorough search of its extensive network. This comprehensive strategy ensured that Charisma cast a wide net, attracting a diverse pool of highly qualified candidates.

From an initial pool of 146 individuals within a commutable distance, Charisma meticulously screened down the candidates, resulting in a shortlist of 65 who demonstrated a strong alignment with the project's requirements. Extensive screening for cold approaches identified 11 potential candidates who were subsequently engaged in initial chats.

Following these interactions, Charisma conducted in-depth vetting interviews with 6 candidates, gaining a deeper understanding of their leadership styles, strategic thinking, and their ability to connect with St Mary's mission and values. From this rigorous screening process, Charisma presented St Mary's with a shortlist of 3 exceptional individuals, each demonstrating the requisite expertise, passion, and commitment to lead the project towards success.

After a comprehensive half-day interview session and tour for each candidate, St Mary le Strand was confident in their decision to appoint a highly skilled and experienced individual to the role of Project Director. This successful appointment exemplified Charisma's unwavering commitment to finding the perfect fit.